China Town Affair
Chapter 2
The two agents enter Abboccato, a well-known Italian restaurant on 55th Street; Illya heading toward the bar while Napoleon made his way toward the back. Walking up to the table, Napoleon leaned down and placed a kiss on the neck of the beautiful platinum blonde sitting there.
"Darling, it has been a long time. Where is your little Russian?" Angelique asked.
"Illya's at the bar," Napoleon said.
"I meant his sister. She's letting you out without your leash?"
"Angelique, I came to thank you for the information, not to fight with you and have no idea what you are talking about."
"Really darling, I'm not blind. I can see how you feel about her. You're welcome for the information, perhaps you would like to thank me properly?"
Napoleon slid into the seat next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders. He admitted the truth to her. "As you said, you're not blind, and I don't think Jo would approve."
Angelique smiled at him, "She has taken some of your drive away, darling."
"No she's given me a place to direct it. Now, if you don't mind. Why?"
Angelique sighed. She missed her rendezvous with him, but after she met Jo the first time, she knew he would be no longer available.
"You might as well invite your dour Russian friend to join us, that way I only need to explain what is going on once."
Napoleon smiled at her as he signaled his partner to join them. She eyed Illya as he sat down.
"Wung is a very angry man who wants revenge against everyone whom he feels caused his downfall. Andreas fouled up his plans twice, Jo and you once. The fact that one of the people who caused his humiliation was a woman makes his anger worse than if she had been a man."
"Thrush demoted him the first time he failed, while the second failure resulted in his complete loss of status. Russia and Mao's China are responsible for the loss of his family fortune. He has decided to pit all his enemies against the each other hoping to destroy the world and themselves."
"I take it that he's completely insane." Napoleon commented.
"More than insane, he has enough money to carry out his plans," Angelique informed them.
"But why assassinate leaders of different Chinatowns?" Illya asked.
"All of those murdered were supporters of Mao. By leaving the rifles, Russia will be blamed. The Thrush belongings will indicate my organization, and Wang knows that UNCLE will become involved. In addition, the US will be blamed for not protecting the leaders. His plans are very thorough."
"May I ask how you know all this?" Illya didn't trust the woman even if she had helped them in the past.
"He offered the plan to Central and of course when Central turned him down he added us to the list of those who had offended him."
"If we believe all this, why are you here then, and why did you help us?" He wasn't willing to give this woman the benefit of the doubt.
"I've been assigned to eliminate him. Darling, I could use your help," she turned her attention away from Illya, reaching over, running her hand down Napoleon's face circling his mouth. "For old time sake then if nothing else, besides your organization has as much to lose as we do."
Napoleon and Illya looked at each other, and Illya left to call into Waverly. When he returned, his posture showed his displeasure.
"We need to bring her in as Mr. Waverly said he wishes to speak to her himself. You have his word that you will be free to go afterwards."
"Are you willing to come?" Napoleon asked.
….
They entered through the agents' entrance, as Angelique already knew where it was located. Once inside, searched and cleared, a visitor's badge was given to her.
As the three walked along the halls, agents who knew of Angelique La Chien stared after them. More than one comment was over heard about the 'spider' lady.
As they entered Waverly's office, two security agents followed as well, but Waverly waved them away, "She was invited gentlemen, wait outside."
Napoleon held a chair out for her while Illya sat at the other side of the table.
"Thank you for coming Miss La Chien," he started. "Besides helping us find our agents, I understand you have given my men information about Mr. Wung. I wish to thank you for your help in this matter."
"As you three know, the relationship between the USSR and China has been deteriorating since the Soviet Union withdrew all of its experts from China and the Communist Party of China broke off ties with the USSR. Mr. Wung must be planning to use this deterioration to start a war. Is correct Miss La Chien?"
Angelique heard about this man, the leader of UNCLE. His mind was sharp, and his understanding of world politics complete. No wonder UNCLE was frequently a step ahead of Thrush.
"Yes I believe you have the facts correct, sir." Her respect for the man surprised not only the two agents but also herself.
"I agree he needs to be stopped. However, I am curious as to why a Thrush agent has been sent to offer their cooperation in his matter. This is highly unusual."
"Mr. Waverly, we would like to launch a joint venture to stop Wung. I have this document from Central for you." As she reached for the paper, Illya pulled his special.
"Put that away Mr. Kuryakin. I am sure Miss La Chein doesn't plan to harm me."
"Yes, sir," Illya said putting the gun back in the holster without taking his eyes off her.
"This document from Thrush Central is a written truce that will protect your agents assigned to this case until the situation with Wung is resolved."
Waverly looked over the document, "I have sent agents to protect Mr. Yu the New York representative of Mao in Chinatown. Relieve these agents and stop Mr. Wung." Once more, his dismissal involved picking up a chart and ignoring them.
As they reached the door, Waverly called out, "Mr. Kuryakin a moment."
"I will catch up to you by the front door," he said as he returned to the table.
"Mr. Kuryakin, although Thrush has promised yours and Mr. Solo's safety, I don't believe it for a moment. It's important that neither of you let your guard down."
"I agree as I do not trust their offer or Miss La Chein intensions in this matter. I will make sure that we are extra careful during this affair."
"Stop Wung and his plans."
Illya left the office to meet his partner hoping that Napoleon would also keep a good eye on their new partner.
….
The three agents headed to the Lower East Side of Manhattan to Chinatown. They traveled on foot through the overcrowded streets heading towards the Mr. Yu's factory.
Along the way, they passed colorful buildings with look-alike restaurants, fruit and fish markets and shops full of electronics and knickknacks. The storefronts were decorated with hangings made of Chinese knots, believed to bring good fortunes, health, happiness and other such items to ensure protection from evil and devils.
As they went farther into the town, tenements from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries became more numerous. Children there were playing catching seven pieces and knocking the stick, traditional Chinese games. Napoleon, Angelique, and Illya hurried past the playing children arriving at the Yu's factory.
As they arrived at the garment district, they were looking for Yu's address when a shot rang out. Pulling their guns, they ran towards the building where the sound originated, each heading off in a different direction, hoping to trap the shooter.
As Napoleon rounded the corner, he saw Wung's men racing down the street and Wung stepping out of the doorway. Hongqi Wung saw him, pulled his gun and fired while running in the opposite direction where he crashed into Angelique. He raised his weapon and shot her.
Napoleon heard the weapon's fire, but hadn't seen if anyone had been hit. As he headed toward the fallen victim, he realized it was Angelique with a shoulder wound.
"He when that way," she pointed before passing out.
Illya met him at the corner, but there was no sign of Wung and returning to the doorway, he went up the stairs while Napoleon saw to Angelique.
Mr. Yu lay in a pool of blood with a Fedorov Avtomat Rifle lying next to him and a Thrush beret on top of it. Illya returned, joining Napoleon.
"How is she?"
"I've stopped the bleeding; she'll need some stitches but should be fine. Mr. Yu?" Napoleon knew the answer already.
"Dead."
Illya called in a report requesting an ambulance and when it arrived along with the cleanup team, the two agents traveled back to headquarters with Angelique.
Once she was settled in medical, Illya and Napoleon reported to Waverly's office.
"We arrived just as Yu was killed, though we did see Wung and his men leaving through the back door but by the time we reached the street he had vanished," Napoleon explained.
"Do we have any information as to where he might be heading next?" asked Illya.
"Our people are checking into all transportation methods leaving the city. As soon as we have found out anything, you along with Miss La Chien if she is well enough to travel will be heading after him. Gentlemen, I cannot emphasize the importance of catching this man." Waverly reminded them.
….
When the two men left his office, they headed to their office to write up their reports on the incident and Yu's death. A few hours later, they went back to medical. Illya to visit his sister, and Napoleon to check on Angelique.
He found Angelique waiting for him, her arm in a sling after her wound was cleaned, stitched, and bandaged. She had been lucky, the bullet only grazing her arm. The doctor released her to Napoleon's assurance that he would keep an eye on her.
….
Illya found Jo sitting on the side of the bed surrounded by pillows while Andreas was lying in his bed.
"Should you be doing that? Good evening Andreas."
"Don't you start! Between the doctors, nurses and my partner all I hear about is what I should and shouldn't do."
Andreas smiled at Illya, "She's not listening to anyone, but then since when has she."
He sat in the chair beside her. "Angelique is in headquarters," he started. Then explained what had happen since the two had been brought in.
Before leaving the area, Napoleon walked into Jo and Andreas's room, to her bedside and leaning over, kissed her passionately.
"Napoleon, we agreed," she said as she opened her eyes.
"One of the perks of being the CEA is being able to request the surveillance devices be shut off, and I did," he smiled then gave her another quick peck on the lips.
Andreas cleared his throat, "Hi boss. Hope I'm not keeping you from doing anything you had in mind?"
Illya couldn't suppress the grin as Jo blushed at the suggestion.
"Don't even start, any of you," she warned.
It was then that she noticed Angelique in the background, Jo couldn't explain what had happened between herself and Angelique, but she knew they had a connection. This wasn't the first time one of them had helped the other.
"I understand I owe you thanks for contacting my brother. Once more you saved my life."
"You've done the same for me darling, besides we women must stick together in this business," Angelique said.
"Even if we are on opposite sides," Jo acknowledged.
"And we do share many things," Angelique smiled in Napoleon's direction who shifted uncomfortably.
"I think it is now one less thing," Jo gave Napoleon a questioning glance.
Illya and Andreas were trying to keep from smiling, but they failed as the CEA became more uncomfortable in the presence of the two women.
"The three of you are trying to catch Wung, am I correct? Be very careful. He is insane and looking for revenge. When he went after Andreas, he attempted to cause as much damage and pain as he could before he tried killing him."
"You especially Angelique, need to be very cautious. He hates women and although he went after me with a vengeance, the hatred that he showed towards Jo was out of proportion," Andreas added.
With assurances that they would keep the warnings in mind, Illya, Napoleon, and Angelique left the medical section.
….
"We can stay at the hotel near the airport tonight. Of course, only to make sure you're alright," Napoleon offered Angelique.
Illya rolled his eyes toward his partner.
"We can get a double room, and you're welcome to the couch if you think I need a chaperone, tovarisch." He said a little more forceful than necessary.
"I didn't say a word Napoleon. I will get a second room, thank you." Illya grinned as he walked away.
Napoleon's communicator beeped in the middle of the night.
"Mr. Solo, we have located Mr. Wung's flight. He's headed out towards San Francisco, and I have arranged for the three of you to be on a UNCLE Jet heading that way in two hours. Report in once you have reached your destination." Without waiting for a reply, Waverly disconnected.
Napoleon woke, gathering the information he'd been looking over before he'd fallen asleep, and waking his 'guest, he and Angelique went to Illya's room.